Giulia McPherson is traveling in Liberia and Ghana on a CARE Learning Tour, a comprehensive, multi-day tour for policymakers and those who can influence policy to gain firsthand knowledge of the core issues poor communities face. She is the Deputy Director for Citizen Advocacy with CARE USA’s Policy and Advocacy Unit. To learn more about the Learning Tours Program, please visit: www.care.org/learningtours.

On January 16, Liberians will celebrate the inauguration of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female president. President Sirleaf was first inaugurated in 2005 and recently won her reelection in late 2011.

[From left to right: Rep. Bobby Rush, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Rep. Tom Marino, and Rep. Hank Johnson]

The Learning Tour delegation, including Congressmen Tom Marino (R-PA), Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL), had the special honor of meeting President Sirleaf today for a private audience to discuss plans for her second term in office, as well as the challenges her administration is currently tackling and how the U.S. can continue to be engaged in efforts to bring stability and prosperity to the country.

“The United States is Liberia’s most important partner, and bilateral cooperation is strong,” said President Sirleaf. “I thank this delegation for visiting and commend CARE for restarting their critical work in Liberia.”

*Note: CARE Liberia restarted operations in September 2008 after a hiatus of almost 25 years.